Machine Profiles
Set your machine once, and every speed and horsepower calculator on this site will warn you before recommending something it can't actually do.
This choice is saved in your browser and carries over automatically to every calculator that supports it — no need to set it again on each page.
What each profile assumes
| Machine | Max spindle RPM | Spindle power |
|---|---|---|
| Haas VF-2 | 8,100 | 7.5 HP |
| Brother Speedio | 20,000 | 5.5 HP |
| Tormach (PCNC 1100) | 5,140 | 1.5 HP |
| Shapeoko | 30,000 | 1.25 HP |
| Nomad | 10,000 | 0.2 HP |
| Bridgeport (standard J-head) | 4,200 | 1.5 HP |
These are representative specs for a standard configuration of each machine, not a guarantee of your specific unit — spindle options, upgrades, and router/spindle swaps all change the real numbers. If you know your machine's actual limits, use "Manual mill / custom" and enter them directly instead.
What this actually checks, and what it doesn't (yet)
Right now, a machine profile checks calculated results against your machine's spindle RPM and horsepower ratings — hard, physical limits that are on the machine's own spec plate. If a calculator's result would ask for more RPM or more power than your machine has, you'll see a clear warning instead of a number that quietly can't be achieved.
Why this doesn't yet adjust for rigidity
A light desktop machine like a Shapeoko or Nomad often has plenty of RPM headroom but far less rigidity than a Haas VF-2 — it can spin fast enough, but a chip load or depth of cut sized for a rigid VMC will chatter or deflect a lighter machine long before it runs out of spindle power. This first version deliberately doesn't try to guess a rigidity-based derating for that, since there's no spec-plate number for "how rigid is this machine" the way there is for RPM and horsepower — getting that right without just making up a number is a bigger project, and may come later.
Which calculators support this
Look for the "Machine profile" card at the top of a calculator — it's currently on the core speed and horsepower tools: Feed & Speed Calculator, Cutting Speed Calculator, SFM ↔ RPM Calculator, Drill Speed Calculator, Lathe Turning Speed Calculator, Turning Feed & Speed Calculator, Constant Surface Speed Calculator, Facing Speed Calculator, Horsepower Calculator, and Turning Horsepower Calculator.